The strain of bird flu was found in a whooper swan in Tipperary.
The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a third case of bird flu in Ireland, after the H5N8 strain of avian influenza was detected in a whooper swan in Borrisokane in Tipperary.
It is the third confirmed case of bird flu in Ireland in the last month, following cases in Wexford at the end of December and Galway earlier this month.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that although the H5N8 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections with this virus have been reported world-wide and therefore risk to humans is considered to be very low.
The Department has emphasised the requirement to confine poultry and other birds, and to apply strict bio-security measures to prevent the introduction of avian influenza. They say that poultry flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office.
According to the Irish Farmers Journal, all poultry farmers in Ireland have been required under legislation, which came into effect on December 23, to house their flock in order to minimise the risk of poultry coming into contact with wild birds. The legislation will be reviewed on 23 January.
For more information on avian influenza, check out the Department of Agriculture website.
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